What is an Implant?

Replacing natural teeth with the next best thing.

Dr. Alger specializes in placing dental implants to replace missing teeth, even when a patient’s jawbone has been compromised.

What is a dental implant?

Our natural teeth are composed of two primary parts – the part that sticks above the gum line and the root that anchors the tooth in the bone. In the same way, replacing teeth with dental implants requires two parts.

Implant Crown Before Step 2

The Implant

The surgically placed titanium root. Anchored in the bone.

Artificial Teeth

Teeth that attach on top of the implant. A crown, bridge or denture.

Dental implants are artificial devices used by dentists to replace missing teeth. Typically made of titanium alloy, an implant is placed directly into the jawbone to serve as the foundation for artificial teeth – such as crowns, bridges, or implant-supported dentures. Dental implants may be used to replace single or multiple missing teeth.

When a jawbone cannot support implants, Dr. Alger can provide options!

Successful implant treatment depends on a sturdy, healthy jawbone. In the event that your jawbone has been compromised, we can preserve – or even grow – the bone needed to support the implants through a process called bone grafting

Implant Crown After

Here’s how bone grafting works:

Grafting material is formed from various sources – including bone obtained from safe tissue banks or synthetic materials.

All grafting materials are properly tested and validated for safety and efficiency.

Graft materials may be placed where teeth have been extracted, along thin areas of bone, or even within sinuses.

A thin sheet of collagen may be used to secure the bone grafting material in place.

Typically, 4-6 months is needed for bone grafts to heal before dental implants can be placed.

For more about Dr. Alger’s proven expertise in bone grafting procedures, please see here.